The global COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every part of our lives. From how we work to how we buy our coffee, it’s unlikely things will ever be the same. They say that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. That’s just what the drive-thru coffee industry has done to adapt to these difficult times.
What steps are businesses taking to keep customers safe? Learn what the drive-thru coffee industry is doing to keep customers secure and healthy during COVID-19.
Social distancing and contact-free service are now the norm. But drive-thru franchises are uniquely positioned to succeed despite these restrictions. While dine-in restaurants and other businesses scramble to adapt, the drive-thru coffee industry is prepared for the challenge.
Social distancing is practically built into the business model. This has helped drive-thru franchises thrive at a time when even the most popular restaurants struggle to stay afloat. Now, drive-thru and pick-up service is a lifeline for businesses. This includes everyone from quick-service restaurants (QSRs) to fine dining establishments. Not only have these changes provided a much-needed sense of normalcy to the lives of many people, they have also helped to save many jobs across the industry.
So, it comes as no surprise that some of the industry’s biggest brands are adopting many of the same strategies as the drive-thru coffee industry. Businesses with dine-in areas or those that lack drive-thru capabilities have also added contactless service through take-out orders.
However, traditional restaurants are quickly learning something the drive-thru coffee industry has known for years; speed matters at the drive-thru. Diners may be willing to wait for food in a sit-down setting. They are much less forgiving when it comes to take-out or the drive-thru.
Scooter’s Coffee® has long prided itself not only on its amazing drinks and people, but that the brand also does it amazingly fast. The average wait time at a Scooter’s Coffee drive-thru coffee shop is a mere 40 seconds before customers are on their way.
Of course, a drive-thru alone is not enough to allay the fears of the most cautious customers that still need their caffeine. The natural social distancing of a drive-thru is helpful. Even so, the drive-thru coffee industry is doing everything it can to protect both its customers and its employees.
These extra steps follow the best practices for responding to COVID-19 as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The practices include encouraging employees to wear face masks. This further reduces the possibility of transmission between drive-thru windows and vehicles. Steps also include the use of gloves by employees in addition to the regular disinfecting of surfaces.
Some states are beginning to re-open more businesses. Even so, the impact of the coronavirus pandemic will be felt for years to come. Many of the considerations restaurants currently have in place are likely to stick around for some time. This means drive-thrus could be busier than ever as the service practically becomes a necessity for QSRs to succeed.
Scooter’s Coffee has led the charge against coronavirus through its swift actions to combat the spread of the virus. And it has done it while protecting both its amazing customers and employees. Discover more about our innovative drive-thru coffee kiosk and how you can own a franchise built for the future, no matter what happens.
